Apparatus for alignment of multilayer film mirrors for monochromatic x-ray generator and x-ray image detecting method using the same

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for alignment of multilayer film mirrors for a monochromatic X-ray generator and an X-ray image detecting method using the same. The apparatus for alignment of multilayer film mirrors for a monochromatic X-ray generator includes a collimator disposed between an X-ray generating unit and a detector and aligning them and limiting the radiation direction of X-ray to provide an optimum incident angle to multilayer film mirrors generating the monochromatic X-ray from the X-ray.

1 . A monochromatic X-ray generator comprising:
 an X-ray generating unit generating and irradiating X-ray to a subject;   a detector obtaining an image of the subject using monochromatic X-ray incident from plural multilayer film mirrors;   a collimator disposed between the X-ray generating unit and the detector, the collimator comprising the plural multilayer film mirrors generating the monochromatic X-ray from the X-ray and an apparatus for aligning the plural multi layer film mirrors and limiting the radiation direction of X-ray to provide an optimum incident angle to the multilayer film mirrors the alignment apparatus comprising:
 a base jig arranging the multilayer film mirrors in an upright manner; 
 an elastic support supporting one side of the multilayer film mirrors standing upright on the base jig; and 
 an incident angle adjustment unit adjusting an incident angle of the X-ray by pushing the rear side of the multilayer film mirrors elastically supported by the elastic support. 
   
     
     
         2 . The monochromatic X-ray generator of  claim 1 , wherein the base jig comprises:
 plural horizontal frames disposed in a direction perpendicular to a baseline connecting centers of the X-ray generating unit and the detector, each being spaced vertically apart from each other by the height of the multilayer film mirrors and being spaced horizontally apart from each other by the length thereof, and having plural installation pins spaced at regular intervals such that the upper and lower ends of the multilayer film mirrors are installed by being inserted at the center thereof; and   plural vertical frames fixed to a main housing connecting both ends of the plural horizontal frames.   
     
     
         3 . The monochromatic X-ray generator of  claim 2 , wherein a spacing between the installation pins is larger than a thickness of the multilayer film mirrors such that the multilayer film mirrors can be tilted horizontally between the installation pins to adjust the incident angle. 
     
     
         4 . The monochromatic X-ray generator of  claim 1 , wherein the elastic support comprises:
 a rod engaged via a screw with and penetrating the a main housing fixed to one end of the base jig;   a moving plate connected to one penetrating end of the rod and moving horizontally together with the rod; and   plural elastic supporting pins connected to one end of the moving plate and elastically supporting each of the plural multilayer film mirrors in contact therewith.   
     
     
         5 . The monochromatic X-ray generator of  claim 4 , wherein the plural multilayer film mirrors are reduced in length along a direction toward the elastic support, the plural elastic supporting pins are reduced in length toward the center of the plural multilayer film mirrors correspondingly thereto such that they are adhered closely to each of the multilayer film mirrors, and the elastic supporting pins are equipped with protrusions protruding as elastically supported by springs at the end thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The monochromatic X-ray generator of  claim 1 , wherein the incident angle adjustment unit comprises:
 a guide rail disposed outside the base jig;   a slider sliding toward the multilayer film mirrors as coupled with the guide rail and having plural adjusting pins so as to adjust the incident angle by pushing the elastic support toward the multilayer film mirrors; and   a fine control knob disposed outside the guide rail as opposed to the elastic support and finely sliding the slider as coupled with the slider; and   a spring is disposed at the guide rail beside the elastic support to elastically support an end of the slider.   
     
     
         7 . The monochromatic X-ray generator of  claim 6 , wherein the elastic support comprises elastic supporting pins, the elastic supporting pins of the elastic support are disposed at four positions to support the corners of the multilayer film mirrors, and the adjusting pins of the incident angle adjustment unit are also disposed at four positions to press the four corners correspondingly thereto. 
     
     
         8 . An X-ray image detecting method, comprising utilizing the monochromatic X-ray generator of  claim 1 , wherein a pair of multilayer film mirrors are arranged symmetrically with respect to a baseline connecting the centers of the X-ray generating unit and the detector such that one of them obtains lower monochromatic energy and the other obtains higher monochromatic energy and the collimator disposed at the end of the alignment apparatus selectively selects one of the two monochromatic energies. 
     
     
         9 . An X-ray image detecting method, comprising utilizing the monochromatic X-ray generator of  claim 1 , wherein plural multilayer film mirrors are arranged at such positions that a region devoid of monochromatic X-ray incident from the plural multilayer film mirrors due to a thickness of the multilayer film mirrors and a spacing between the arranged multilayer film mirrors are decreased. 
     
     
         10 . An X-ray image detecting method, comprising utilizing the monochromatic X-ray generator of  claim 1 , wherein the X-ray generating unit and the detector are disposed on the same base, and the collimator and the detector scans the subject to obtain the image of the subject while they rotates along an arc of a predetermined radius. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for aligning plural multi layer film mirrors of a collimator of an X-ray generator comprised of an X-ray generating unit, a detector and the collimator, comprising:
 a base jig arranging the multilayer film mirrors in an upright manner;   an elastic support supporting one side of the multilayer film mirrors standing upright on the base jig; and   an incident angle adjustment unit adjusting the incident angle of the an X-ray by pushing the rear side of the multilayer film mirrors elastically supported by the elastic support.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the base jig comprises:
 plural horizontal frames disposed in a direction perpendicular to a baseline connecting centers of the X-ray generating unit and the detector, each being spaced vertically apart from each other by the height of the multilayer film mirrors and being spaced horizontally apart from each other by the length thereof, and having plural installation pins spaced at regular intervals such that the upper and lower ends of the multilayer film mirrors are installed by being inserted at the center thereof; and   plural vertical frames fixed to a main housing connecting both ends of the plural horizontal frames.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein a spacing between the installation pins is larger than a thickness of the multilayer film mirrors such that the multilayer film mirrors can be tilted horizontally between the installation pins to adjust the incident angle. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the elastic support comprises:
 a rod engaged with and penetrating a main housing fixed to one end of the base jig;   a moving plate connected to one penetrating end of the rod and moving horizontally together with the rod; and   plural elastic supporting pins connected to one end of the moving plate and elastically supporting each of the plural multilayer film mirrors in contact therewith.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the plural multilayer film mirrors are reduced in length along a direction toward the elastic support, the plural elastic supporting pins are reduced in length toward the center of the plural multilayer film mirrors correspondingly thereto such that they are adhered closely to each of the multilayer film mirrors, and the elastic supporting pins are equipped with protrusions protruding as elastically supported by springs at the end thereof 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the incident angle adjustment unit comprises:
 a guide rail disposed outside the base jig;   a slider sliding toward the multilayer film mirrors as coupled with the guide rail and having plural adjusting pins so as to adjust the incident angle by pushing the elastic support toward the multilayer film mirrors;   a fine control knob disposed outside the guide rail as opposed to the elastic support and finely sliding the slider as coupled with the slider; and   a spring disposed at the guide rail beside the elastic support to elastically support an end of the slider.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the elastic support comprises elastic supporting pins, the elastic supporting pins of the elastic support are disposed at four positions to support the corners of the multilayer film mirrors, and the adjusting pins of the incident angle adjustment unit are disposed at four positions to press the four corners correspondingly thereto. 
     
     
         18 . An X-ray image detecting method, comprising utilizing the apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein a pair of multilayer film mirrors are arranged symmetrically with respect to a baseline connecting centers of the X-ray generating unit and the detector such that one of them obtains lower monochromatic energy and the other obtains higher monochromatic energy and the collimator disposed at the end of the alignment apparatus selectively selects one of the two monochromatic energies. 
     
     
         19 . An X-ray image detecting method, comprising utilizing the apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the plural multilayer film mirrors are arranged at such positions that a region devoid of monochromatic X-ray incident from the plural multilayer film mirrors due to a thickness of the multilayer film mirrors and a spacing between the arranged multilayer film mirrors are decreased. 
     
     
         20 . An X-ray image detecting method, comprising utilizing the apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the X-ray generating unit and the detector are disposed on the same base, and the collimator and the detector scan the subject to obtain the image of the subject while they rotate along an arc of a predetermined radius.